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A new haemogregarine species Hepatozoon affluomaloti sp. n. is described from erythrocytes in the peripheral blood of crag lizards Pseudocordylus melanotus (Smith) and Pseudocordylus subviridis (Smith) (Sauria: Cordylidae) from mountainous regions in the Eastern Free State, South Africa. This species can be distinguished from all other congeners based on its large size, staining properties and life cycle development in its vector, Culex (Afroculex) lineata (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae). Mature gamonts stain mostly uniformly pinkish-purple with Giemsa, sometimes containing darker azurophilic granules anterior and posterior to the nucleus. The reflexed posterior extremity of the gamont stage sometimes stains slightly deeper purple and the nucleus is dense and placed in the posterior third of the parasite body. Merogonic stages of this haemogregarine occur in the liver tissues of P. melanotus with dizoic meronts. Macromeronts contains 2-7 macromerozoites and micromeronts contains 9-24 micromerozoites. Sporogonic developmental stages found in the proposed final host and vector, C. lineata, include large oocysts, measuring 54 × 48 µm on average. Sporulating oocysts with 8 nuclei are present in mosquitoes 6-7 days post-feeding on infected lizards. Sporocysts with mature sporozoites measure 31.0 × 21.8 µm on average and each contains 2-8 large sporozoites. It is suggested that transmission of infective sporozoites is achieved through predation of lizards on mosquitoes

South Africa's steep electricity tariff increases have forced the mining industry to be more cost effective. One way is by implementing demand side management (DSM) projects. Energy saving priorities focused mainly on mines with large energy consumption and long “life-of-mine”. If paybacks are short enough, it should be a feasible investment to implement DSM projects. This could extend the “life-of-mine” of marginal mines. To assist with investigations, procedures are introduced to estimate the potential savings and required capital costs. These procedures were developed by analysing previous projects implemented by the CRCED PTA research group. Energy cost savings strategies are proposed for the dewatering-, refrigeration- and water distribution systems. A case study is used to show the benefit of the proposed procedures. Since capital investment on marginal mines is limited, breakdowns and equipment failures may be frequent. This may negatively influence saving and project paybacks

Two new haemogregarine species, Hepatozoon langii n. sp. and Hepatozoon vacuolatus n. sp., are described from the peripheral blood of the high altitude crag lizard, Pseudocordylus langi, collected between October 2006 and April 2009 from the North Eastern Drakensberg, Eastern Free State. Hepatozoon langii n. sp. has maturing and mature gamonts that appear encapsulated and have narrow, curved tails. Their cytoplasm stains pinkish-purple with Giemsa, while their nuclei are purple stained with stranded chromatin. Mature gamonts measure 19.1 ± 1.0 (15.4–28.1) μm long by 6.2 ± 1.1 (3.5–7.9) μm wide. Hepatozoon vacuolatus n. sp. gamonts are mostly broader at one pole than the other, have bluish-pink cytoplasm characterised by distinctive rounded and oval vacuoles, and demonstrate pink granules with Giemsa staining. Nuclei stain purple and are mainly coarsely granular. Mature gamonts measure 16.5 ± 1.0 (14.7 - 17.6) μm long by 5.9 ± 1.2 (4.0 - 7.7) μm wide. Both species parasitize erythroblasts, as well as erythrocytes and can dehaemoglobinize the cytoplasm of their host cells. Hepatozoon langii n. sp occurred in the absence of H. vacuolatus n. sp., but the latter haemogregarine always formed mixed infections with the former; no stages intermediate between the two haemogregarine types were observed

Examination of the L. Koch collection of the Zoological Museum in Berlin allows us to propose the following new synonyms and combinations: Erigone marina L. Koch, 1882 = Oedothorax fuscus (Blackwall, 1834) n. syn.; Theridion elimatum L. Koch, 1882 = Enoplognatha diversa (Blackwall, 1859) n. syn.; Liocranum variabilis Wunderlich, 2008 = Zora inornata L. Koch, 1882 n. syn. = Liocranum inornatum n. comb.; Lycosa perspicax L. Koch, 1882 = Arctosa fulvolineata (Lucas,1846) n. syn.; Alopecosella Roewer, 1960 = Arctosa C. L. Koch, 1847 n. syn.; Lycosa subhirsuta L. Koch, 1882 = Arctosa lacustris (Simon, 1876) n. syn.; Philodromus vegetus L. Koch, 1882 = Thanatus vulgaris Simon, 1870 n. syn.; Ozyptila bicuspis Simon, 1932 = Ozyptila furcula L. Koch, 1882 n. syn.; Haplodrassus maroccanus Denis, 1956 = Drassus parvulus L. Koch, 1882 n. syn. = Haplodrassus parvicorpus (Roewer, 1951) n. comb. (replacement name); Zelotes ruscinensis Simon, 1914 = Zelotes semirufa (L. Koch, 1882) n. syn.; Phlegra simoni L. Koch, 1882 = Phlegra bresnieri Lucas, 1846 n. syn.; Trochosula conspersa (L. Koch, 1882), Lycorma fraisnei (L. Koch, 1882), Lycorma insulana (L. Koch, 1882), Arctosa misella (L. Koch, 1992) and Pirata simplex (L. Koch, 1882) are all retransferred to their original genus Lycosa stat. rev. Cheiracanthium occidentale L. Koch, 1882, Ozyptila furcula L. Koch, 1882 and Zelotes callidus (Simon, 1878) are redescribed.

Johann M van Zyl,1 Johan Smith2 1Division of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa; 2Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa Background: In a recent study utilizing a saline-lavaged adult rabbit model, we described a significant improvement in systemic oxygenation and pulmonary shunt after the instillation of a novel synthetic peptide-containing surfactant, Synsurf. Respiratory distress syndrome in the preterm lamb more closely resembles that of the human infant, as their blood gas, pH values, and lung mechanics deteriorate dramatically from birth despite ventilator support. Moreover, premature lambs have lungs which are mechanically unstable, with the advantage of being able to measure multiple variables over extended periods. Our objective in this study was to investigate if Synsurf leads to improved systemic oxygenation, lung mechanics, and histology in comparison to the commercially available porcine-derived lung surfactant Curosurf® when administered before first breath in a preterm lamb model. Materials and methods: A Cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia on 18 time-dated pregnant Dohne Merino ewes at 129–130 days gestation. The premature lambs were delivered and ventilated with an expiratory tidal volume of 6–8 mL/kg for the first 30 minutes and thereafter at 8–10 mL/kg. In a randomized controlled trial, the two surfactants tested were Synsurf and Curosurf®, both at a dose of 100 mg/kg phospholipids (1,2-dipalmitoyl-L-α-phosphatidylcholine; 90% in Synsurf, 40% in Curosurf®). A control group of animals was treated with normal saline. Measurements of physiological variables, blood gases, and lung mechanics were made before and after surfactant and saline replace

Johann M van Zyl,1 Johan Smith,2 Arthur Hawtrey1 1Division of Pharmacology, 2Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa Background: Currently, a new generation of synthetic pulmonary surfactants is being developed that may eventually replace animal-derived surfactants used in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. Enlightened by this, we prepared a synthetic peptide-containing surfactant (Synsurf) consisting of phospholipids and poly-L-lysine electrostatically bonded to poly-L-glutamic acid. Our objective in this study was to investigate if bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-induced acute lung injury and surfactant deficiency with accompanying hypoxemia and increased alveolar and physiological dead space is restored to its prelavage condition by surfactant replacement with Synsurf, a generic prepared Exosurf, and a generic Exosurf containing Ca2+. Methods: Twelve adult New Zealand white rabbits receiving conventional mechanical ventilation underwent repeated BAL to create acute lung injury and surfactant-deficient lung disease. Synthetic surfactants were then administered and their effects assessed at specified time points over 5 hours. The variables assessed before and after lavage and surfactant treatment included alveolar and physiological dead space, dead space/tidal volume ratio, arterial end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) difference (mainstream capnography), arterial blood gas analysis, calculated shunt, and oxygen ratios. Results: BAL led to acute lung injury characterized by an increasing arterial PCO2 and a simultaneous increase of alveolar and physiological dead space/tidal volume ratio with no intergroup differences. Arterial end-tidal PCO2 and dead space/tidal volume ratio correlated in the Synsurf, generic Exosurf and generic Exosurf containing Ca2+ groups. A significant and sustained improvement in systemic oxygenation occurred from time point 180 minutes onward in animals treated with Synsurf c

English: The study of blood parasites of reptiles is a relatively new and unexplored field in South Africa. Therefore, the general aims of this research were to explore the haemoparasite fauna of cordylid lizards, Pseudocordylus melanotus, Pseudocordylus subviridis and Pseudocordylus langi, and especially to search for the definitive hosts and likely vectors of their haemogregarines. Surveys of lizard blood were conducted at various altitudinal gradients on the Sentinel Trail in the escarpment area of the Drakensberg, and at the top of Platberg, near Harrismith, both in the Free State. Five species of haemogregarines were identified, all suspected to belong to the genus Hepatozoon, and none was known from previously published records. These occurred in the blood of P. melanotus, P. langi and P. subviridis from the two disjunct study sites, and mostly were accompanied by other haemoparasites including a saurian malaria, so-called Sauroplasma, and filarial nematodes. Developmental stages of two of the Hepatozoon spp. were documented in the internal organs of P. melanotus and P. subviridis by means of light and confocal microscopy, histology, and transmission electron microscopy. Life stages were also observed in ectoparasitic lizard mites, by means of stained histological sections, and in stained squashes of mites and mosquitoes. Three species of experimentally reared mosquitoes were found to act as likely definitive hosts for Hepatozoon spp. of P. melanotus and P. subviridis, while wild caught Culex (Afroculex) lineata appeared to serve as a definitive host, and therefore possible vector for an Hepatozoon species of P. melanotus at the top of Platberg. A saurian malaria that appeared to have features of two previously described species was recorded in P. melanotus and P. subviridis. New locality records for so-called Sauroplasma and filarial nematodes were also documented for the three species of crag lizards. Some aspects of the fine structure of two haemogregarines, Afrikaans: Die bestudering van bloed parasiete van reptiele is ‘n relatiewe nuut en onbekende veld in Suid-Afrika. Dus was die algemene doelwit van hierdie navorsing om die bloed parasiet fauna van akkedisse in die Cordylidae, Pseudocordylus melanotus, Pseudocordylus subviridis en Pseudocordylus langi te ondersoek en veral die finale gashere en moontlike vektore op te spoor. Akkedis bloed is in die Vrystaat teen verskillende hoogtes versamel by die Sentinel voetslaanpad in die Drakensberg en bo-op Platberg naby Harrismith, wat afsonderlike geïsoleerde areas is. Vyf spesies haemogregarines is geïdentifiseer, waarvan almal klaarblyklik aan die genus Hepatozoon behoort en wat voorheen nog nie beskryf is nie. Hierdie haemogregarines het voorgekom in die bloed van P. melanotus, P. langi en P. subviridis en is gevind tesame met ander bloed parasiete, insluited akkedis malaria, sogenaamde Sauroplasma infeksies en filariale nematode. Die ontwikkelings-stadiums van twee Hepatozoon spp. in die interne organe van P. melanotus en P. subviridis is waargeneem deur middel van van lig, transmissie- en konfokale mikroskopie asook met behulp van histologiese tegnieke. Lewenssiklus-stadia in ektoparasitiese myte en muskiete is waargeneem deur middel van histologiese snitte asook in gekleurde preparate van myte en muskiete. Drie spesies eksperimenteel geteelde muskiete was heel moontlik die finale gashere van Hepatozoon spp. in P. melanotus en P. subviridis. Dit blyk of wilde muskiete Culex (Afroculex) lineata die finale gasheer en dus die vektor vir ‘n Hepatozoon sp. van P. melanotus op Platberg kon wees. ‘n Akkedis malaria met eienskappe van twee voorheen beskryfde spesies, is gevind in die bloed van P. melanotus en P. subviridis. Nuwe lokaliteits-rekords is opgeteken vir sogenaamde Sauroplasma en filariale nematood infeksies in hierdie gasheer spesies. Sommige aspekte van die fyn- struktuur van twee haemogregarines, die Plasmodium sp. asook die sogenaamde Sauroplasma infeksies in th

The newer generation of web browsers supports the client-side database, making it possible to run the full web application stacks entirely in the web clients. Still, the server side database is indispensable as the central hub for exchanging persistent data between the web clients. Assuming this characterization, we propose a novel web application framework in which the server archives its database states at predefined periods then makes them available on the web. The clients then use these archives to synchronize their local databases. Although the main purpose is to reduce the database scalability bottleneck, this approach also promotes self-archiving and can be used for time traveling. We discuss the consistency properties provided by this framework, as well as the tradeoffs imposed.

Peak electricity demand in South Africa will exceed the available operational generation capacity in 2007. The state utility, Eskom, is addressing this challenge, inter alia, with the implementation of a national Demand-side Management (DSM) initiative. Studies in South Africa have shown that 20% of the total municipal energy is utilised in commercial buildings. Telecommunication companies own and operate a large portfolio of diverse buildings within the municipal boundaries. Energy Services Company (ESCO) analyses on these buildings showed huge savings as well as load reduction opportunities. ESCOs however face major problems in evaluating DSM projects on telecommunication facilities. To address these problems a new ESCO procedure for telecommunications facilities was developed and successfully implemented. It was proven that the new ESCO procedure is successful in solving the unique problems in performing ESCO analyses for telecommunications facilities

English: The study of blood parasites of reptiles is a relatively new and unexplored field of research in South Africa. The Free State province and the Lesotho highlands provide a range of reptiles in which their intraerythrocytic parasite fauna were explored. Objectives of this study were to set a baseline of blood parasite diversity and to identify the enigmatic Sauroplasma Du Toit, 1937 and Serpentoplasma Pienaar, 1954 infections in lizards and snakes, respectively. Surveys were conducted in various localities in the Free State and Lesotho. Although low in diversity, 204 specimens representing 14 species of lizards, and 59 specimens representing 13 species of snakes were investigated for the presence of blood parasites. Three known infections were found: Sauroplasma thornasi Du Toit, 1937, Sauromella haemolysus Pienaar, 1954 and Hepatozoon (Haemogregarina) sebae (Laveran and Pettit, 1909) Smith, 1996. These were redescribed and S. thomasii and H. sebae were examined by aid of transmission electron microscopy. The investigation led to the discovery of six new records and possibly new species of haemogregarines named Hepatozoon sp. A-F, four new records and possibly new species of lizard malaria named Plasmodium sp. A-D, and a viral infection possibly of the Pirhemocyton type. Furthermore nine new host and distribution records for Sauroplasma in lizards and nine for Serpentoplasma in snakes are described. Ultrastructural investigations of S. thomasi in Cordylus giganteus A. Smith, 1844, Serpentoplasma in Bitis arietans arietans (Merrem, 1820) and H. sebae in Python sebae natalensis (Gmelin, 1789) were the first to examine the nature of infections in this manner. This is the first comprehensive survey of the biodiversity of blood parasites in reptiles in the Free State and Lesotho highlands., Afrikaans: Die studie van bloedparasiete van reptiele is 'n relatiewe nuwe en onbekende veld van navorsing in Suid Afrika. Die Vrystaat Provinsie en Lesothohooglande het 'n verskeidenheid van reptiele waarvan hul intraeretrositiese parasietfauna bestudeer was. Die doel van die studie was om 'n basislyn van bloedparasietdiversiteit op te stel, en orn die enigmatiese Sauroplasma Du Toit, 1937 en Serpentoplasma Pienaar, 1954 infeksies in akkedisse en slange onderskeidelik te identifiseer. Opnames was in verskeie lokaliteite in die Vrystaat en in Lesotho gedoen. Alhoewel laag in biodiversiteit, was 204 eksemplare, verteenwoordigend van ] 4 spesies akkedisse en 59 slange, verteenwoordigend van 13 spesies, ondersoek vir die teenwoordigheid van bloedparasiete. Drie bekende infeksies was gevind: Sauroplasma thomasi Du Toit, 1937, Sauromella haemolysus Pienaar, 1954 en Hepatozoon (Haemogregarina) sebae (Laveran and Pettit, 1909) Smith, 1996. Die material is herbeskryf en S. thomasii en H. sebae was deur middel van transmissie-elektron mikroskopie ondersoek. Die ondersoek het tot die ontdekking van ses nuwe rekords en moontlik nuwe haemogregariene spesies, naamlik Hepatozoon sp. A-F, vier nuwe rekords en moontlike nuwe spesies van akkedismalaria, naamlik Plasmodium sp. A-D, en 'n virus-infeksie wat moontlik van die Pirhemocyton tiepe is, gelei. Verder is nege nuwe gasheerverspreidingsrekords vir Sauroplasma spp. in akkedisse en nege vir Serpentoplasma spp. in slange beskryf Ultrastrukturele ondersoeke van S. thornasi in Cordylus giganteus A. Smith, 1844, Serpentoplasma sp. in Bitis arietans arietans (Merrem, 1820) en H. sebae in Python sebae natalensis (Gmelin, 1789) was die eerste keer gedoen op hierdie manier orn die aard van infeksies vas te stel. Hierdie is die eerste samevattende opname van die biodiversiteit van bloedparasiete van reptiele in die Vrystaat en Lesothohooglande.